Switch-point lock.



A. D. CLOUD.

SWITGH POINT LOCK. APPLICATION FILED MAY as, 1908.

Patented Dec. 1,1908.

2 sums-sum 1.

iv-MD. Cloud 9 Patented Dec. 1, 1908.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

ARTHUR D. CLOUD, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

SWITCH-POINT LOCK.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 1, 1908.

Application filed. May 23, 1908. Serial No. 434,480.

sists in the matters hereinafter set forth and more particularly pointedout in the appended claims.

Among the objects of my invention is to provide an exceedingly simpleand efiicient switch point lock for locking the switch points at eitherof the limits of their throw, and one which can be manufactured andmaintained at a'small cost as compared to devices at present in use.

In the drawings :-Figure 1 is a plan View of a section of a main andside track, show ing theusual switch stand equipment and showing myimproved switch point lock applied to lock the switch points. Fig. 2 isa top plan view of the locking device and its casing. Fig. 3 is asimilar view with parts in changed position. Fig. 4: is a longitudinalvertical section of the locking device. Fig. 5 is a partial longitudinalsection thereof, with parts shown in changed position. Fig. 6 is anenlarged plan view, partially broken away, of the lock and its casing.Fig. 7 is a transverse section of the lock and its casing in the planeof the lock rod. Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a sliding or shiftingbar constituting part of the locking device. Fig. 9 is an enlarged sideelevation of a portion of the lock rod showing one form of lockingprojection for the lock rod. Fig. 10 is a face view of one of the platesconstituting the lock rod locking projection. Fig. 11 is a bottom planperspective view of the movable latch block.

As shown in the drawings, 15, 15 designates the main rails and 16, 16the switch point rails, which latter are connected or coupled bytie-rods 17, 17.

18 designates a switch stand of any suitable construction which isconnected with the switch points by means of a switch rod 19 in theusual manner.

My improved switch point lock embraces a lock rod 20 which is attachedat its inner end to a lug 21 bolted to one of the switch points and isprovided at its outer end with a locking projection adapted forengagement with a locking latch constituting part of the lock. The saidlock rod 20 is screw threaded at its outer end and carries two plates25, 25 which are separated longitudinally of the rod and constitute thelocking projection of the rod. Said plates are provided with apertures26 through which the rod loosely extends. They are locked on the screwthreaded portion 2a of the rod by means of nuts 27, 28 one engaging theinner side and the other the outer side of each of said locking plates.The inner nuts 27 occupy recesses 29 on the inner faces of said lockingplates, which are made of such shape as to interlock with the edges ofthe nuts so as to hold said plates from turning on the lock rod whenengaged by the locking nuts. So far as the locking of the rod at eitherlimit of its movement is concerned, the said locking projection may bemade solid or continuous. The projection is, however, made of two parts,as the plates 25 herein shown, and fixed to the screw-threaded end ofthe lock rod in the manner described for the purpose of adjusting saidprojection on the rod to take up wear of the switch point and main trackrails.

It may be here stated that in assembling the plates 25 on the lock rod,the inner nut 28 is first threaded on the screw threaded end of the roda distance beyond its normal position thereon and thereafter the innerplate 25 is slipped over the rod, against the nut 28, after which theassociated nut 27 is threaded over the rod to its proper position. Theinner plate 25 is thereafter slipped over the adjusted nut 27 andinterlocked there with, after which the nut 28 is turned thereagainst toclamp or look said plate in place. The inner nut 27 of the outer plateis thereafter threaded over the screw-threaded end of the rod to itsproper position, after which said outer plate is slipped over the rodinto interlocking engagement with its inner nut 27 and is clamped orlocked thereagainst by the outer nut 28.

Referring now to the construction of the locking devices which cooperatewith the locking projection on the locking rod and the manner in whichsaid parts cooperate to eifect the locking of the switch points, saidparts are made as fol'lowsz' 30designates-a supporting frame plate whichspans two ad'- jacent ties 31, 31 adjacent to one of the switch pointsand lies parallel with the adjacent main track rail. The said supportingplate is fixed to said ties by means of spikes 32, 32 driven throughspike holes 33 at the ends of said supporting plate. The frame plate isprovided with a central, depressed, chambered portion 35, transverselythrough which the lock rod 20 extends and which partially contains theplates 25 and their locking nuts. The said depressed chambered portionof the frame plate 30 at each side of the rod is provided with interiorledges 36, 36 which are slidingly engaged by downwardly facing shoulders37, 3.7, of the projection plates 25, whereby the outer end of thelocking rod and the devices carried thereby are supported on said frame.410 designates a sliding bar which rests at its ends on the upper faceof the frame plate 30 and has sliding engagement therewith. The centralportion 41 of said sliding bar is curved upwardly to bring the sameabove the plane of the sliding ends of said bar. The said sliding baris, provided centrally with a rectangular opening 42, near the ends ofwhich are arranged rigidly attached transverse pins or rods43. T hesaidpins or rods 43 constitute supports for a movable latch block 4E5, whichcooperates with the locking projection, (the plates 25) of the lock rodto lock said rod at either limit of its movement. The said latch block45 comprises a generally horizontal portion 416 which is provided at itsends with downwardly facing, transverse channels or grooves 4.7, L7which are adapted to rest on the rods 43, said grooves and rodsconstituting pivots about which either end of the latch block may beraised or swung upwardly. The said latch block is formed on its lowerside to pro-. vide two downwardly projecting portions or lugs 50, 51located side by side. At the ends of said lugs are formed two oppositelyfacing locking shoulders, 52, 53. Said locking shoulders are ofiset orlocated laterally out of line with respect to each other, one beingformed on one end of one lug. and the other on the opposite end of theother lug. Each of said projections 50, 51 is formed in line.

with itslockingshoulder with an oppositely facing oblique or cam surface54:, 55, the cam surface of one lug lying, adjacent to. the locking.shoulder of theother lug. The said latch block normally occupies. thehorizontal position indicated in Figs. 4: and 7. When in this position,andv when the. sliding. latch block carrying bar 40 is at one limit ofits movement, one of the. locking shoulders 52 or 53 islocated in linewith the locking. projection, or plates 25, of the lock rod. For

instance, as' shown in, Fig. 4, the. locking shoulder 52 of the. latchblock is in the path of the locking projection of the lock rod, so

that at this time the lock rod is held from endwise movement and theswitch points are locked in place at one limit of their throw. When itis desired to shift the switch points, through the usual operation ofthe switch stand,'the sliding latch block carrying bar L0 is shiftedendwise of the supporting frame 30 so as to carry the locking shoulderat that time in line with the locking projection of the rod out of thepath of said locking projection and to carry the adjacent cam surface ofthe other lug in line with said locking projection of the lock rod. Vhenthe parts are thus adjusted it will be evident that the lock rod may beshifted endwise when the switch points are thrown over to the otherlimit of their movement, inasmuch as the moving engagement of the lockrod projection with that one of the cam or oblique surfaces of the latchblock presented in line therewith has the effect to swing one end of thelatch upwardly to permit the lock rod projection to pass thereunder.After the locking projection of the lock rod has passed beneath thelatch block, said block drops to its horizontal position with the otherlock ing shoulder thereof in front of the lock rod locking projectionand in position to lock the rod and the switch point in the positions towhich they have been thrown or shifted.

As shown in Fig. 5 the lock rod and the locking projection are movingoutwardly or towards the observer in contact with the rearwardly obliqueportion or cam 54 of the latch block towards the position which theparts finally assume in Fig. 4. It will be observed that said latchblock is free to swing upwardly at both ends to permit the lockingprojection of the lock rod to pass beneath either end of said block,depending upon to which position the latch lock has been shifted by thesliding bar 40. The said latch lock is provided at its, ends withupturned portions or lugs 57, 57 by which the same may be engaged toshift or slide the bar endwise on the frame plate 30. Any suitable meansmay be employed for locking said bar at either limit of its movement ifthis be found necessary. As before stated the locking pro jection of thelock rod, consisting of the plates 25, may be made solid or continuousand operate in exactly the same manner to lock the switch points. Bymaking the projection of two parts, however, the device may be readilyadjusted to compensate for wear between the parts of the main rails andswitch point rails that are brought into contact when the switch pointsare locked. Such adjustment for wear is effected by loosening the nuts27 and 28 and moving the plates one away from the other to widen thedistance between the same. Thus at all times in the life of the switchpoint lock its full efliciency to lock the switch points close up to themain track rails may be maintained. The central part of the locking device and the latch block are covered by a casing 60 which fits upon thesupporting frame over the central portion thereof and is attachedthereto in any suitable manner. Said casing is provided in its ends withopenings (31 through which the latch block carrying bar is free toslide. Said casing 60 serves, not only to protect the movable parts ofthe locking device, but also serves to prevent the pivoted end of thelatch block from rising when the other end is swung upwardly, as clearlyindicated in Figs. 4; and 5, it being observed that the pivoted end ofthe latch lock is at such time closely adjacent to the upper wall of thecasing.

It will be obvious that I have provided an exceedingly simple,economical and efficient v switch point lock. Said locking device may beproduced at a small cost inasmuch as but little machine work 1s required111 the manufacturing and assembling of the device, and

the weight of the metal used is small.

The device, being made of few parts, is not likely to get out of orderand is therefore inexpensive to maintain.

I claim as my invention 1. A switch point lock comprising an endwisemovable lock-rod adapted for connec; tion at one end with switch pointsand provided at. its other end with a locking projection, and a latchblock movable transversely of the lock-rod and provided with oppositelyfacing, laterally offset shoulders adapted for sepa ate engagement withsaid locking projection.

2. A switch point lock comprising an endwise movable lock-rod adaptedfor connection at one end with switch points and provided at its otherend with a locking proj ection, a latch block movable transversely ofthe lock-rod and provided with oppositely facing, laterally offsetshoulders adapted for separate engagement with said locking proj ection,and means for supporting said block with one of said locking shouldersin line with said projection and arranged to permit movement of theblock to move said shoulders out of line with said locking projection.

3. A switch point lock comprising an end wise movable lock-rod adaptedfor connection one end with switch points and provided at its other endwith a locking projection, and a latch block movable transversely of thelock-rod and pivotally mounted so that either end may be swung or raisedabout the other end thereof as a pivot, said lock block being providedwith oppositely facing, laterally offset locking shoulders adapted forseparate engagement with said locking projection.

4. A switch point lock comprising an endwise movable lock-rod adaptedfor connecti on at one end with switch points and provided at its otherend with a locking projection, and a pivotally mounted latch blockmovable transversely of the lock-rod and provided with oppositelyfacing, laterally offset locking shoulders adapted for separateengagement with said locking projection.

A switch point lock comprising an endwise movable lock-rod adapted forconnec tion. at one end with switch points and provided at its other endwith a locking projection, and a pivotally mounted latch block movabletransversely of the lock-rod and provided with oppositely facing,laterally ofiset locking shoulders, and with oppositelyv facing,laterally offset cam surfaces, each located in line with one of saidshoulders.

6. A switch point lock comprising an endwise movable lock-rod adaptedfor connection at one end. with switch points and provided at its otherend with a locking projection, and a pivotally mounted latch blocklocated over and movable transversely of the loclcrod, said latch blockbeing provided on its under surface with two lugs located side by side,each formed to provide at one end an abrupt locking shoulder and at itsother end an oppositely facing cam sur face, the cam surface of each lugbeing located adjacent to the shoulder of the other lug.

7. A switch point lock comprising an endwise movable lock-rod adaptedfor connection at one end with switch points and provided at its otherend with a locking projection, a bar located transversely over said rodand movable transversely with respect thereto, and a latch blockpivotally supported on said sliding bar and provided with oppositelyfacing, laterally offset lock shoulders and with oppositely facing,laterally offset cam surfaces arranged one in line with each of saidshoulders.

8. A switch point lock comprising an endwise movable lock-rod adaptedfor connec tion at one end with switch points and provided at its otherend with a locking projection, and a locking device comprising asupporting frame, a horizontal bar sliding on said frame transversely tosaid rod and provided with a central opening and with transverse rods orpins, and a latch block pivotally mounted at its ends on said rods orpins in a manner to permit either end thereof to swing upwardly, saidlatch block being provided on its under side with oppositely facing,laterally offset shoulders and with oppositely facing, laterally offsetcam surfaces arranged each in line with one of said locking shoulders.

9. A switch point lock comprising an endwise movable lock-rod adaptedfor connection at one end with switch points and provided at its otherend with a locking on said frame transversely to said rod and providedwith a central opening and with transverse rods or pins, a latch blockpivotally mounted at its ends on said rods or pins i, in a manner topermit either end thereof to swing upwardly, said latch block beingprovided on its under side with oppositely facing, laterally offsetshoulders and with oppositely facing, laterally offset cam surfacesarranged each in line with one of said locking shoulders, and lugs orprojections extending upwardly from the ends of said sliding bar.

10. A switch point lock comprising an endwise movable lock-rod adaptedfor connection at one end with switch points and provided at its otherend with a locking projection, and a locking device comprising asupporting frame, a horizontal bar sliding on said frame transversely tosaid rod and provided with a central opening and with transverse rods orpins, a latch block pivotally mounted at its ends on said rods or pinsin a manner to permit either end thereof to swing upwardly, said latchblock being provided on its under side with oppositely facing, laterallyoffset shoulders and with oppositely facing, laterally offset camsurfaces arranged each in line with one of said locking shoulders, and acasing removably supported over the central part of said frame andinclosing said latch block.

somaaa 11., A switch point lock comprising an endwise movable lock-rodadapted for connection at one end with switchpoints and provided at itsother end with a locking projection, and a latch block movabletransversely of the lock-rod and provided with oppositely facing,laterally offset locking shoulders adapted for separate engagement withsaid locking projection, said locking projection being adjustable tocompensate for wear of the switch points and main rails.

12. A switch point lock comprising an endwise movable loclcrod adaptedfor connection at one end with switch points and provided at its otherend with a locking projection, and a latch block movable transversely ofthe lock-rod and provided with oppositely facing, laterally offsetlocking shoulders adapted for separate engagement with said lockingprojection, said locking projection comprising two parallel platesmounted on the lock-rod and clamped between inner and outer nuts havingscrewthreaded engagement with the said rod.

In testimony, that I claim the foregoing as my invention I afiiX mysignature in the presence of two witnesses, this 12th day of May A. D.1908.

ARTHUR D5. CLOUD. Witnesses;

V W L. HALL,

G. R. WVILKI'NS.

